- Switch from Superbike World Championship to MotoGP for the 2026 season
- Comparison with Casey Stoner by rider manager Alberto Vergani
- According to management, debut season should clearly be considered a learning year
Toprak Razgatlioglu‘s imminent entry into MotoGP is already the subject of intense discussion. The three-time Superbike World Champion from Turkey, who won his titles with Yamaha and later with BMW, has secured his place in the premier class for 2026. Even before his first Grand Prix, he is being linked with big names from the past.
Vergani sees mental strength as key
One of the most prominent voices is rider manager Alberto Vergani, who has been active in the Superbike World Championship and MotoGP for many years. Vergani has worked with Danilo Petrucci, among others, and previously with Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa. He also accompanied Casey Stoner‘s career for a long time.
In an interview with GPOne, Vergani describes Razgatlioglu as an exceptional natural talent with remarkable mental clarity. He was particularly impressed by how thoughtfully the Turkish rider deals with problems. Razgatlioglu knows exactly what challenges await him in MotoGP and tackles them consciously without allowing himself to be distracted by external factors.
Parallels to Stoner in dealing with technology
From Vergani’s point of view, the similarities to Stoner are particularly evident in their approach to the motorcycle. The manager recalls an earlier statement by Stoner:
“If you have a bike, you must think only about that bike and how to ride it as best as possible. The moment you look at another one, you lose energy and you are already beaten.”
Vergani recognizes this same attitude in Razgatlioglu. A conversation after the 2025 Superbike season was a prime example of this. At that time, the Turkish rider admitted that technical limitations had initially thrown him off balance. It was only when he stopped complaining and focused entirely on getting the most out of the BMW that the problems could be solved. For Vergani, this moment was decisive for the comparison. For him, Razgatlioglu is a “Stoner 2.0.”
Realistic expectations for the 2026 MotoGP season
Despite the high expectations, Vergani is putting the brakes on exaggerated expectations. The 2026 season should clearly be seen as a learning phase. The motorcycle, tires, and many tracks will be new to Razgatlioglu. In addition, the Yamaha M1 he will be riding for the Pramac Racing customer team is not currently considered to be the benchmark.
Nevertheless, Vergani believes the Turkish rider has what it takes to make his mark within the Yamaha camp. He expects Razgatlioglu to cause his MotoGP teammates problems at least some of the time, even if the equipment is not on par with the competition.
Razgatlioglu already gained his first impressions during a private test in Aragon and the official post-season test in Valencia. There, he rode for the first time in the immediate vicinity of the MotoGP starting grid. Pramac and Yamaha are apparently focusing less on immediate results and more on long-term development.
Outlook beyond the rookie year
In management circles, 2026 is seen primarily as preparation for the following season, when new technical rules are set to take effect. Vergani is convinced that Razgatlioglu will then be able to demonstrate his talent even more clearly. However, it will take several race weekends to see whether the lofty comparisons with Casey Stoner are justified in sporting terms.
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